Traffic-signal



F. J. HUSBANDS.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

APPuq mqu FILED MAR. n, 1918.

Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

, INVENTIJP Hank J Husbands is Airborne! FRANK J'. HUSBANDS, 0F LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TRAFFIC-SIGN AL.

Specification (if Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 30, 1920.

Application filed March 11 1918. Serial No. 221,811.

vention serving to aid the traflic ofiicer, or acting as a substitute for him, and is designed as an improvement on the device shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 1,236,441, granted to me on the fourteenth day of August, 1917.

In accordance with the embodiment of this invention, means are devised for the dis-.

play of signals at each cornerof intersecting streets with each signaling means facing in -the direction of the approaching traiiic, and

operative so that traflic permission will be open'alternately on the intersectingstreets and for definite time limits. I

Other objects are to accomplish the change of signals automatically in definite cycles, to provide manual control for the signals, and to provide signals which may be set to stop all traffic if desired.

In accordance with these objects means are devised whereby the signals are operated substantially in unison, so that substantially parallel lines of travel are permitted upon one street, and are not permitted upon the transverse lines of travel, the signals being of such a nature that the sign devices have.

a common. display position, and alternately move into the display position to indicate that the traflic is open or closed forrespective lines of travel, and means are devisedwhereby the intervals between change of signals are varied relatively and proportionally.

Other objects and advantages may appear from the subjoined detail description.

Upon the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a signal device embodying my invention, and taken on line X of Fig. 2, with the internal structure and operative parts in elevation. Fig. 2'is a sectional elevation on line X of Fig. 1. Fig.

3 is a sectional and detail view of a semaphore signal on line X of Fig.2. Fig. 4'

elements included in an apparatus to control intersecting lines of trafiic. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a signal and the housing therefor constructed without the control device as shown in Figs. 1 and 2'.

Referring to the drawings, the signal devices employed for the purpose of my invention are preferably adapted to indicate positively the opening of streets to traffic and the closure of streets to traflic by the movement of characteristic signs to display position, indicating one or the other of these two conditions of the streets, and comprise housings 11, with interior operative elements hereinafter described, and movable sign semaphores 15 and 16. A setof signalap- ,paratus comprises four of these housings with included operative apparatus and semaphores, designed tobe displayed at intersecting streets, and arranged with the semaphores facing the approaching line of traiiic thereon. The housings and associated signals and semaphores are identical in construction and operation, with the eX-' ception that one is provided with an integral control box 12. The semaphores "are both movable into and out of the display position, and are provided with suitable traflic insignia, one having thereon the word Stop" and the other having inscribed thereon the word Go. A detail description of thehousingprovided with a control box and the included operative parts and semaphore signals, will suflice for an understanding of the invention.

The housing 11 is provided with two transverse and rotative hori zontal shafts 13 and 14, on which are mountedrespectively, the fixed semaphores 15 and 16. A flexib e cord 17 connects semaphore 15 with a plunent rotative movement relative to the shaft,

and is adapted to be actuated through an arc of ninety degrees to operative and inoperative positions relative to the semaphore 15. A cord 21, preferably a chain, is con- 'nected at one end to the periphery of drum 20, and at the opposite end to a plunger 22.

-ger- 18, working in a solenoid 19, which,

The plunger 22 works within solenoid 23, which is longitudinally disposed in semaphore 15, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and in section in Fig. 3. Upon energization of solenoid 23, the plunger 22 is forced to move relatively toward the free end of semaphore 15, thereby rotating drum 20 through an arc of ninety degrees to a position relatively operative to the semaphore, the drum 20 being thereby forced to move or rotate synchronous with the movement of semaphore 15, fixed to shaft 13. In the operative position of drum 20, which is constantly maintained relative to semaphore 15, upon closure of switch 37, and the energization of the circuit comprising conductor 49, switch 37, branch conductors 38, and solenoids 23, influencing the plunger 22 and the flexible connecting cord 21, the slack is taken up in cord 24 connecting drum 20 with drum 25, fixed to semaphore 16, and therefore, as semaphore 15, weighted to counterbalance the combined weight of semaphore 16 and plunger 18, swings to non-display position,

the semaphore 16 will be actuated to display position, and reversely, as semaphore 15 is operated to display position, the semaphore 16 will be actuated by gravitation to the nondisplay position, the cord 24 winding from one drum tothe other when the semaphores are actuated 'to a change of display position.

One semaphore is mounted above the other,

and each semaphore is adapted to swing to a horizontal display position, the words Stop -and Go, being alternately dis played upon change of position of the semaphores. The movement of the semaphores is simultaneous and effective for the presentation of signals adapted to control intersecting lines of traffic.

Automatic timing devices contained with-- in control-box 12, consist of a shaft 26, on

which is mounted the gear-wheel 27, in mesh with a pinion 28, which is driven by motor 29. A rheostat'30, in connection with the motor, will regulate the speed thereof, or may be employed as a cut-out switch, if desired. The motor controlling rheostat 3O is preferably of any well known form used to control the speed of electric motors, there being many devices of this character on the market.

Wheel 27 is normally in constant rotation, being driven by motor 29, and is provided with a fixed cam 31 on one side thereof. A radial arm 32, provided with a cam 33, is clamped to the opposite side of the wheel. The cam 33 is adjustable to various positions relative to fixed cam 31, Cams 31 and 33 alternately actuate a three point snap switch 34, which is preferably of the push-button type, and designed to alternately open and close two circuits, there being many types of switch of this character on the market. The switch illustrated is provided with elongated push-buttons 52, working in the guide 53, and is twice act'usecondary conductors 35 and 36, thereby controlling signal circuits as hereinafter set forth. I

It is to be understood that I do not claim as my invention any of the electrical elements employed in constructing this device.

The solenoids, wire conductors, switches, motor, and speed-controlling rheostat, are all of standard construction, on the market, and in practical use. My invention resides in the particular combination of these elements to produce an automatic traffic signal apparatus as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the specific detailed construction of these electric elements is omitted. Equivalent electrical elements and devices may be substituted where desirable.

A switch 37 is preferably a snap switch of any well known form of singlepole switch, which will connect a secondary wire with a primary wire, there being many switches of this character on the market and in practical use. A diagram of this switch is shown in Fig. 4, in which the same is adapted to connect the primary wire 49, with a series of secondary wires 38, which include within their circuits the solenoids 23, in connection with the primary wire 44. It may be seen that by closing switch .37, the circuits including wires 38 and solenoids 23, are bridged between the primary wires 44 and 49, energizing the solenoids, and through corresponding movement of plungers 22 and cords 21, placing drums 20 in relative position for synchronous movement with their respective signal semaphores 15, and thereby tensioning the connecting cords 24, whereby the associated signal semaphores also become operative. Conversely, upon opening switch 37, all signal semaphores will assume the inoperative and non-display position.

. The electric conductors may be arranged to pass through conduit 51, and thence to .one or another of saidhousings 'Referring to Fig.4, it may be seen that solenoids 19, when energized, serve to actuthe Various electrical elements associated with the signal devices.

Assuming switch 34 to be in the position as shown, the closed circuit .formed thereby, will include the primary wire conductor 49, switch 34, secondary wire conductor 36, conductors 45 and 46, solenoids 19, con

ductors 47 and 48, and primary conductor 44, and serves to effect the display of sto signals actuated by solenoids 191 noids 41, and conductors 42, 43, and 44, the

stop signals affected by solenoids 41 will assume the horizontal display position, thereby withholding permission for trailic upon the intersecting lines of travel. All

sto signals return by gravitation to nondisp ay position, and all. go signals automatically. assume the display posltion when the circuits controlled by switch 37, and including conductors 38 and solenoids 23, are closed, and the circuits controlled by switch 34 are opened. a

The trafiic ofiicer may, by manipulation of the combined cut-out switch and speed controlling rheostat 30, out out the operation of the motor, thereby leaving the signals in position for permission of traffic upon one of the intersecting streets, or he may, by mani ulation of switch 50,place both sets of so enoids 19, and 41, in circuit with the primary'conductors 44 and 49, thereby actuating all stop signals to display position, or he may, by manipulation of the switch 37 cut out the circuit energizing solenoids 23, thereby rendering the semaphores 15 and '16 relatively inoperative, serving to place all signals in the non-display position.

If, in the judgment of the traflic oflic'er, the traffic should be changed at longer intervals, he will manipulate the speed controlling rheostat so that the motor will operate at a reduced speed, and conversely, increasing the speed of the motor will shorten the intervals between change of signals. Thus the intervals .between change of signals is varied proportionally. If traflic be eater on one street than on the other, the trafiic ofiicer will adjust the movable cam 33 relative to the fixed cam 31, thereby varyin the intervals between the actuation of switc 34, and varying the trafiic permission upon the intersecting streets, relatively.

While the device shown and described, is well adapted for serving the purposes of the invention, it is to be understood that no limitation is made to the precise structural details exhibited in the drawings, but changes ma from thespirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, the apparatus including sign devices substantially at each corner of intersecting streets, means for.

be made without departing and means for releasing simultaneously operating them, means for varying the intervals in the cycle of operation relatively and proportionally, and arranging the sign devices so that traflic signals of similar import are presented to parallel lines of travel, and signals of the opposite import are presented to the intersecting lines of travel upon intersecting streets.

What is claimed is:

1. In a traffic signal, a housing, axial bearings in said housing, one bearing located above the other, semaphores mounted to swing on said bearings, a plunger, a cord connecting the upper semaphore and plunger, a solenoid toactuate the plunger and throw the upper semaphore to display position, said semaphore fallingby gravity to non-display position when the solenoid is deenergized, and connecting means between the upper and lower semaphores whereby I the lower semaphore is raised as the uppersemaphore falls.

2. In a trafiic signal, two semaphores, one of whichis located above the other, electrodrops by gravity to the non-display position,

is raised as the upper semaphore fallsto nondisplay position, means for maintaining an operative tension of the connecting means, the tension main taining means. a a

4. In a tralficsignal, two semaphores, one of which is located above the other, a tensioned connecting cord whereby the semaone of which is located above the other, of" a cord connecting means. between the sema-v phores whereby 'the signals are simultaneously operative, and means for varying the tension of the connectmg cord.

6. In a trafiic signal, two semaphores, one

, of which is mounted above the other, a cord connecting means between the semaphores,

electro-magnetic means for te'nsioning the cord to make the semaphores simultaneously operative, and means to deenergize the magnetic means.

7. In a traffic signal, two semaphores, one of which is mounted above the other, electromagnetic means to actuate the upper semaphore, a cord connecting means between the semaphores, and electro-magnetic means for both of which are oscillative to display and non-display positions, a cord connecting means whereby the semaphores will oscillate simultaneously, electro-magnetic means to operate the upper semaphore, and means to render the cord connecting means inoperative.

9. In a trafiic signal, two semaphores oscillative upon pivot centers in different planes, a drum carried upon onev pivot center, a drum aflixed to one of the semaphores, a cord connecting means winding in opposite directions on the two drums, and means for varying the position of the first-named drum relative to its cooperative semaphore.

10. In a traflic signal, two semaphores oscillative upon axial bearings, one of which is mounted above the other, a drum mounted upon the upper bearing, means for varyingthe position of the drum relative to the upper semaphore, and a cord connecting means between the drum and the lower semaphore, said lower semaphore being operativeor inoperative in accordance with the position of the drum.

11. In a trafiic signal system, a'source of electric energy, two solenoid circuits, signals operated to stop position when the solenoid circuits are energized, switch means to throw either solenoid circuit in connection with the source of electric energy, other signals operated to go position, a cord connecting means between the stop and go signals, electro-magnetic means for tensioning the cord connecting means, and an independent switch to connect the electromagnetic means with the source of electric energy.

12. The combination with a housing, of two'axial shafts rotatively and horizontally mounted therein, one being superposed above the other, semaphores fixed to the 'rotative shafts and movable to horizontal display positions, a solenoid within the housing, a plunger working within the solenoid, a flexible cord connecting the plunger 'with the uppermost semaphore and operative to force the semaphore to display position when the solenoid is energized, means for energizing the solenoid, a drum independently mounted on the uppermost axial shaft, electro-magnetic means for maintaining the independently mounted drum in synchronous movement with the uppermost semaphore, a drum fixed to the lowermost semaphore, and a flexible cordcpnnected to said drums adapted to wind from one to another upon movement of the semaphores in change of signal position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature, this 6th day of March, in the year 1918.

FRANK J. HUSBANDS. Witnesses 1 FREDERIC M. KEENEY, i-IALLIE B. KIBBEY. 

